Half a day later, Tang Hao led Tang San deep into the Star Dou Great Forest.
When they reached the edge of a lake, the two hid behind the thick trunk of a massive tree and looked toward the small island in the lake's center.
Even from over a hundred meters away, Tang San could see Xiao Wu sitting on a rock on the island, her expression downcast.
"Xiao San, you see that, right? That enormous bull-headed creature on the surface of the lake is the hundred-thousand-year soul beast, the Sky Azure Bull Python. The other one beside it, the Titan Giant Ape, you've met before."
"They are both kings among soul beasts. Their strength is in no way inferior to that of a rank 96 Super Douluo. And around the lake, there are plenty of other powerful ten-thousand-year soul beasts."
"That's why Xiao Wu is perfectly safe here. You don't need to worry," Tang Hao explained to Tang San.
"No wonder… now I understand why the Titan Giant Ape showed up near the forest's edge before."
"Dad, I'm relieved now. No matter what training you have for me next, I can endure it."
Looking at Xiao Wu from afar eased much of the tension in Tang San's heart. Although her lonely expression made him reluctant to leave, he understood very well that it wasn't the time for them to be together.
His rational mind told him—he could not rush out. He could not appear before her.
Otherwise, if he heard her voice, he might not be able to part from her.
Xiao Wu… wait for me to come back and take you away! Tang San gripped the tree bark tightly, eyes full of determination, making his vow.
"Let's go, Dad," Tang San said to Tang Hao.
"Rest assured, Xiao San. At most ten years—under my guidance, once you reach the rank of Soul Sage, I'll let you meet Xiao Wu again."
"By then, she'll likely have reached her mature stage. As long as you two stay away from big cities, the continent is vast—the Spirit Hall won't easily find you," Tang Hao said, giving Tang San a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Mm. I'll work hard," Tang San replied with a firm nod.
Tang Hao then led Tang San to turn back toward the forest's edge.
But they had only walked a few meters when a rough, booming voice rang out—
"Your Holiness, the lake is up ahead. Is this the deepest part of the Star Dou Forest?"
A streak of blazing red shot to the treetops, looking toward the island in the lake.
"Your Holiness, I've spotted it! That massive blue bull-headed figure on the island must be the Sky Azure Bull Python," Ling Yuan called down to Lin Fan and the others.
Ghost Douluo, upon hearing this, transformed into a black shadow and, in a blink, appeared at the lake's edge.
"Your Holiness, the human-shaped soul beast and the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are both on the island, just as the strategist predicted. They haven't even had time to hide," Ghost Douluo's voice carried back.
"Lin Fan, I didn't expect it—this little girl has two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts at her side," Bibi Dong said with a tinge of surprise.
"Maybe I mess around sometimes, but when it comes to serious matters, I'm always meticulous," Lin Fan replied with a cold smile.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. Demon Bear, guard the lakeshore. Elder Ling Yuan, take the skies—don't let any other ten-thousand-year soul beasts interfere."
"Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost, come with us onto the island."
Lin Fan quickly issued his orders.
With that, he released his Blue Shadow Sword Martial Spirit and displayed his soul rings—
One yellow, two purple, five black, one red.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring!" the four elders exclaimed in shock, clearly not expecting Lin Fan to possess such a ring.
Bibi Dong also released her Death Spider Emperor Martial Spirit along with her soul rings.
The four elders followed suit, unleashing their martial spirits and soul rings.
In an instant, the combined aura of their spirit power surged into the surroundings. The nearby ten-thousand-year soul beasts instinctively retreated far from the lake.
Lin Fan's figure turned into a blue sword shadow as he shot toward the island, with Bibi Dong and the others following close behind.
"What's going on?!" The Sky Azure Bull Python was the first to sense the abnormal soul power fluctuation, looking sharply toward Lin Fan's group.
"Six Title Douluo! Sister Xiao Wu, run—head over there!" The Sky Azure Bull Python's voice was full of alarm.
The once downcast Xiao Wu lifted her head and caught sight of familiar figures.
"It's Lin Fan… and the Spirit Hall Pope… and their elders!" Xiao Wu's face turned pale.
"Sister Xiao Wu, hurry! I'll hold them off with Er Ming!" the Bull Python urged.
"No. We can't head deeper in. Even if I die, I can't reveal the Beast God's location—because the Spirit Hall Pope's strength is extraordinary. She's already reached the rank of Peerless Douluo," Xiao Wu said firmly, standing up.
"Run? Where do you think you're going?" Elder Ling Yuan descended from above, her tone icy.
A wall of blazing fire appeared behind them, sealing off their escape route.
Lin Fan, Bibi Dong, and the Chrysanthemum-Ghost pair landed in front of Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, long time no see. I suppose these two are Da Ming and Er Ming," Lin Fan said with a faint smile, all nine of his soul rings shining.
"Lin Fan—it was you who brought them here? How could you know about Da Ming and Er Ming? This shouldn't be possible!" Xiao Wu's voice trembled.
"Didn't Yu Xiaogang ever tell you my story? You think the title of 'Prophet' is just for show?" Lin Fan sneered.
"Be sensible—have them sacrifice themselves to me, and they can avoid unnecessary pain before dying."
"ROAR!" Er Ming was instantly enraged, his massive body swelling even larger as he threw a colossal punch toward Lin Fan.
Swoosh—
Lin Fan's figure flickered and vanished, dodging the blow.
Er Ming's fist smashed into the ground, shaking the small island violently as if struck by an earthquake.
"Impossible!" Xiao Wu shouted, teleporting to land on Er Ming's broad shoulder—the Titan Giant Ape's body so huge it was like standing on a platform.
"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? Seventh Soul Skill—Blue Shadow True Body!"
"Azure Nether Domain!"
With Lin Fan's full power unleashed, a vast azure martial spirit domain enveloped the island.
Countless sword shadows shot toward the Titan Giant Ape.
"Er Ming… Humans, you've crossed the line!" the Sky Azure Bull Python—Da Ming—roared.
Between his massive horns, a deep-blue thunder sphere began to condense.
"Azure Sky Annihilation Thunder!"
Rolling thunder surged toward Lin Fan.
"Your opponent is me. Fourth Soul Skill—Thorn Spider Armor!"
Bibi Dong's figure flashed to Lin Fan's side, intercepting the attack.
Such a terrifying strike was blocked with ease.
"This human's soul power is incredibly deep—comparable to that of a beast with over two hundred thousand years of cultivation. So this is the strength of a rank 99 Peerless Douluo from the human world…" Da Ming thought with shock.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Bloodsucking Spider Spikes!"
Countless venomous spikes appeared around Bibi Dong, shooting toward Da Ming's colossal body.
Tang San was stunned. "It's the Spirit Hall Pope—and Lin Fan too!"
"Xiao Wu! Dad, we have to save Xiao Wu!"
"Xiao San, don't go." Tang Hao grabbed his son's wrist firmly.
"Dad, I can't just watch Xiao Wu die before my eyes—I made her a promise!" Tang San struggled frantically.
Tang Hao's hand moved like lightning, delivering a knife-hand strike to the back of Tang San's neck.
Tang San instantly lost consciousness.
Xiao San… don't blame me.